spring/summer 2011 recent releases — young & middle grade
spring/summer 2011 recent releases — young & middle grade
spring/summer 2011 recent releases — young & middle grade
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GHOST MEDICINE<br />
by Andrew Smith<br />
read by Mike Chamberlain<br />
Troy wants this to be the <strong>summer</strong> of what he<br />
calls “ghost medicine,” when time seems to<br />
stop. He wants to spend time with his closest<br />
friends. Over the <strong>summer</strong> their paths cross in<br />
dangerous and fateful ways.<br />
★“Smith’s first novel, a deceptively simple<br />
coming-of-age story, defies expectations via its<br />
sublime imagery and its elliptical narrative<br />
structure.”<strong>—</strong>Publishers Weekly, starred review<br />
9 CDs • 978-0-7393-7245-6 • $60.00<br />
Grade: RL: 4.9 • IL: 9-12 • LL: 830 • 11 hrs. 38 mins.<br />
See page 72 for IN THE PATH OF FALLING<br />
OBJECTS<br />
GIMME A CALL<br />
by Sarah Mlynowski<br />
read by Cassandra Campbell<br />
Devi’s friends have faded away, her <strong>grade</strong>s<br />
stink, and her boyfriend is breaking up with<br />
her. She has nothing until she realizes her broken<br />
cell phone can call herself three years ago.<br />
Devi tries to convince her <strong>young</strong>er self of the<br />
right things to do.<br />
“Mlynowski fans will not be disappointed with<br />
this blend of chick-lit, light fantasy, and<br />
comedic mishaps.”<strong>—</strong>School Library Journal<br />
“It could be somewhat challenging to keep up<br />
with dialogue between <strong>young</strong>er and older Devi,<br />
but Campbell strikes a balance, making their<br />
voices similar enough to seem like the same<br />
person, yet different enough to allow listeners<br />
to differentiate between speakers.”<strong>—</strong>Booklist<br />
7 CDs • 978-0-3077-1152-6 • $34.00<br />
Grade: RL: 3.0 • IL: 7-12 • LL: 440 • 7 hrs. 58 mins.<br />
See page 96 for the Magic in Manhattan series<br />
GHOST OF SPIRIT BEAR<br />
by Ben Mikaelsen; read by Jason Harris<br />
Cole used to be violent, but a year on a<br />
remote Alaskan island changed his perspective.<br />
But now he must return to high school<br />
and Cole realizes that it’s not enough just to<br />
change himself.<br />
“Ben Mikaelsen’s portrayal of this angry,<br />
manipulative, damaged teen is dead on.”<br />
<strong>—</strong>School Library Journal<br />
“Narrator Jason Harris’s strong vocal characterizations<br />
downplay the story’s preachiness and<br />
lend believability to Cole and Peter’s transformations.”<strong>—</strong>AudioFile<br />
3 CDs • 978-0-7393-7262-3 • $30.00<br />
Grade: RL: 4.8 • IL: 6-12 • LL: 700 • 3 hrs. 42 mins.<br />
TOUCHING SPIRIT BEAR<br />
by Ben Mikaelsen; read by Lee Tergesen<br />
After his anger erupts into violence, Cole is<br />
sent to a remote island where an encounter<br />
with a Spirit Bear changes his life.<br />
“Mikaelsen’s portrayal of this angry, manipulative,<br />
damaged teen is dead on.”<strong>—</strong>VOYA<br />
“Lee Tergesen reads the challenging…story of<br />
Cole’s year of isolation…with an effort to be<br />
true to Cole’s desperate, sneering defiance.”<br />
<strong>—</strong>AudioFile<br />
YALSA Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults<br />
5 CDs • 978-0-7393-5111-6 • $45.00<br />
Grade: RL: 6.7 • IL: 5-12 • LL: 670 • 5 hrs. 52 mins.<br />
See page 75 and 79 for more Ben Mikaelsen<br />
GOD IS IN THE PANCAKES<br />
by Robin Epstein; read by Cassandra Morris<br />
Fifteen-year-old Grace works at a nursing<br />
home. Mr. Sands, an ex-Marine with Lou<br />
Gehrig’s disease, acts as a sort of father figure.<br />
One day he cheerfully asks Grace to help him<br />
die. Grace immediately says no, but as his disease<br />
worsens, she’s not so sure anymore.<br />
“Morris can be a breezy, high-spirited, and sarcastic<br />
Grace in the moments when the teen is<br />
full of confidence or a despondent Grace when<br />
she wrestles with decisions.”<strong>—</strong>AudioFile<br />
“Morris mixes the humorous elements of the<br />
story with more serious questions Grace faces<br />
concerning life, death, and God.”<strong>—</strong>Booklist<br />
6 CDs • 978-0-3077-3824-0 • $37.00<br />
Grade: RL: 5.4 • IL: 9-12 • LL: NA • 6 hrs. 59 mins.<br />
GOING BOVINE<br />
by Libba Bray; read by Erik Davies<br />
MICHAEL L. PRINTZ AWARD<br />
16-year-old Cam has mad cow disease. Hope<br />
arrives when Dulcie, a punk angel, tells Cam<br />
there is a cure. Cam sets off on a road trip with<br />
a dwarf and a talking yard gnome.<br />
★“An absurdist comedy…offer this to fans of<br />
Douglas Adams’s Hitchhiker’s Guide to the<br />
Galaxy seeking more inspired lunacy.”<br />
<strong>—</strong>Publishers Weekly, starred review<br />
“Witty dialogue and creative voices make this<br />
production a standout.”<strong>—</strong>AudioFile<br />
“Davies’ narration is so spot-on that Cameron’s<br />
transition…is audibly evident…A stellar audio<br />
experience.”<strong>—</strong>Sound Commentary<br />
Booklist Editor’s Choice<br />
12 CDs • 978-0-7393-8559-3 • $75.00<br />
Grade: RL: 4.0 • IL: 9-12 • LL: 680 • 15 hrs. 9 mins.<br />
See page 87 for more titles by Libba Bray<br />
THE GOODBYE SEASON<br />
by Marian Hale; read by Georgette Perna<br />
In 1918 a deadly flu epidemic leaves Mercy<br />
alone and penniless. Mercy finds a job with<br />
Mrs. Wilder, but there’s something unsettling<br />
about her. Then there’s Daniel, who could<br />
sweep a girl off her feet if she isn’t careful.<br />
★“Perna’s soft voice and gentle narration portrays<br />
Mercy’s sweet, pliant disposition as well as<br />
...the struggles of a spirited <strong>young</strong> woman who<br />
must make her own way in a difficult world<br />
while remaining true to herself.”<br />
<strong>—</strong>School Library Journal, starred review<br />
“Perna reads with a plaintiveness and sweetness<br />
in her voice that perfectly suits the main character<br />
and she also does a wonderful job portraying<br />
the other unique characters.”<br />
<strong>—</strong>Sound Commentary<br />
6 CDs • 978-0-7393-8650-7 • $50.00<br />
Guide: RL: 4.4 • IL: 7-12 • LL: 660 • 6 hrs. 31 mins.<br />
See pages 62 and 68 for more titles by<br />
Marian Hale<br />
GRIMPOW<br />
The Invisible Road<br />
by Rafael Ábalos<br />
read by Richard McGonagle<br />
Grimpow had no idea who the dead man<br />
was, but hidden in his bag was a treasure that<br />
would change his life forever.<br />
“Broad appeal that should attract adult as well<br />
as teen listeners.”<strong>—</strong>School Library Journal<br />
11 CDs • 978-0-7393-6124-5 • $75.00<br />
Grade: RL: 7.9 • IL: 6-12 • LL: NA • 13 hrs. 20 mins.<br />
THE HUNCHBACK<br />
ASSIGNMENTS<br />
by Arthur Slade<br />
read by Jayne Entwhistle<br />
THE HUNCHBACK ASSIGNMENTS<br />
Mr. Socrates raises Modo for a spy agency.<br />
When Modo turns fourteen, he’s left in<br />
London where he encounters Octavia and<br />
together they uncover a malicious plot to<br />
destroy the British government.<br />
★“Fluid and expressive, nuanced and evocative,<br />
Entwistle’s narration is a marvel, a perfect<br />
match to the well-crafted story.”<br />
<strong>—</strong>Booklist, starred review<br />
“Jayne Entwhistle is a skilled reader and is able<br />
to make the story come alive through her many<br />
accents and voice tones.”<strong>—</strong>Sound Commentary<br />
Booklist Editor’s Choice<strong>—</strong>Audiobooks<br />
6 CDs • 978-0-7393-8022-2 • $45.00<br />
Grade: RL: 4.8 • IL: 7-12 • LL: 660 • 7 hrs. 15 mins.<br />
THE DARK DEEPS<br />
The Hunchback Assignments,<br />
Book 2<br />
Modo, a shape-shifting hunchback and agent<br />
for the Permanent Association, goes in search<br />
of a possible sea monster with his partner.<br />
“Slade does an excellent job of catching new<br />
listeners up to speed without pedantic<br />
reportage that would bore those who have<br />
already read the first volume.”<strong>—</strong>Booklist<br />
“The second in Arthur Slade’s riviting steampunk<br />
series is narrated by Jayne Entwistle who<br />
blithely jumps from one believable accent…A<br />
dramatic and superbly read tale.”<br />
<strong>—</strong>School Library Journal<br />
7 CDs • 978-0-7393-8026-0 • $37.00<br />
Grade: RL: 4.6 • IL: 4-9 • LL: 640 • 8 hrs. 11 mins.<br />
HARD LOVE<br />
by Ellen Wittlinger; read by Mark Webber<br />
MICHAEL L. PRINTZ HONOR<br />
When John first meets Marisol, their friendship<br />
is based on a shared interest in homemade<br />
zines, dysfunctional families, and dreams of<br />
escape. Unfortunately, John mistakes their<br />
growing intimacy for love, and he realizes just<br />
how hard love can be.<br />
“Actor Mark Webber’s reading is absolutely<br />
perfect.”<strong>—</strong>School Library Journal<br />
“Mark Webber’s youthful voice projects all of<br />
John's turbulent emotions clearly.”<strong>—</strong>AudioFile<br />
4 CDs • 978-0-7393-6458-1 • $38.00<br />
Grade: RL: 6.0 • IL: 9-12 • LL: 680 • 4 hrs. 58 mins.<br />
Young Adult CD Library<br />
71